Hadith of the Ark

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Hadith of the Ark
Arabicحديث السفینة
RomanizationHadith al-Safinah
Literal meaningHadith of the Ark

The Hadith of the Ark (Arabic: حدیث السفینة, romanized: Ḥadīth al-Safīnah) is a tradition narrated from the Islamic prophet Muhammad by different narrators such as Ali ibn Abu Talib, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (known as Sadiq) and Ibn Abbas.[1] In this tradition, Muhammad compares his household (Ahl al-Bayt) to Noah's ark, the only way to salvation in a sea of darkness, deviations, innovations and passions.[2] Both Shi'a and Sunni scholars agree that prophet narrated this hadith.[2] According to Shia Islam, the Twelve Imams are the Ulu'l-Amr, who are like the ark of Noah, where Quran 33:33 and Hadith al-Thaqalayn refers to them.[3]

The hadith[]

The Hadith is as follows:[4][5]

Behold! The similitude of my Ahlul Bayt, is like that of the Ark of Noah: The one who embarks it, will have saved himself, and the one who turns away from it, is doomed.

Citations in Sunni books[]

Many Sunni books narrate this Hadith.

Al-Hakim al-Nisaburi, one of the greatest Sunni scholars, narrated this hadith as authentic (sahih) in his Mustadrak.[6][a][7] Al-Heithami in his book (written against Shia) states: By many narrations of this hadith which strengthen each other;"certainly Ahl al-Bayt are like the Ark of Noah, saved Whoever boarded", and in Sahih Muslim "perished whoever turned away from it" also comes along."[8] And in his another book, Al-Heithami indicates this hadith as authentic (sahih).[9] According to Dahlan, the authenticity of this hadith is confirmed by different sources.[b][9][10]

Implication of the hadith[]

Shia scholars[]

The hadith implies the absolute priority of Ahl al-Bayt to all others, otherwise Muhammad would have forbidden to follow them.[11]: 209 

According to Shia scholars, the only path to salvation is by following the Ahl al-Bayt, so they must be infallible (Ma'sum), otherwise they will mislead their followers.[2] If they are infallible, they must be Imam definitely.[11]: 207 

According to this hadith, they are the criterion of distinguishing believers from non-believers.[11]: 210 

There must be an Imam at all the times until the Day of Resurrection.[11]: 210 

The number of Imams is twelve.[11]: 211 

Sunni scholars[]

Based on Tayyebi:[clarification needed][2] One of the narraters of this hadith is Abu Dharr[clarification needed] who narrates this hadith while holding on the door of Kaaba which is an emphasis on this hadith and holding on to the ahl al-Bayt.[1] Abu Dharr, while introducing himself, narrates this hadith to remind people that he is Abu Dharr known as Sadiq by Muhammad.[2]

The Prophet compares this world with its darknesses, deviations, innovations and passions to a stormy and raging sea covered with dark clouds that the only, unique way of salvation is boarding this Ark (safinah).[2]

Al-Samhudi[clarification needed] states: The salvation is the aspect of resemblance of Ahl al-Bayt to Noah's ark by the Prophet. As a result, hadith implies that to be grateful to Ahl al-Bayt by their gratitude, appreciation and sanctity. Everyone behave in this way, he is survived from the darkness of enmity and he is grateful; otherwise he is drowned in the sea of disbelief and the punishment of hell is urgent for him.[2]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ وهذا حديث صحيح على شرط مسلم ولم يخرجاه (اي البخاري ومسلم).
  2. ^ صحّ عنه صلّى الله عليه وآله من طرق كثيرة

References[]

  1. ^ a b al-Asgari, Najm al-Din. Hadith al-Thaqalayn (The Hadith of the Two Weighty Things) (in Arabic). Moasese Tahgig va Nashre Ma'aref Ahl al-Bait. pp. 132–158.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g al-Milani, Seyyed Ali (2011). Jawahir al-Kalam V.2 (in Persian). Qom: al-Haqayeq. pp. 85–93.
  3. ^ Fyzee, Asaf A.A. (1982). A Shi'ite Creed (3rd ed.). Tehran: WOFIS. p. 85.
  4. ^ "Noor's Conversion Story". Shiaism Discussed Online. SDOL. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  5. ^ al-Nishapuri, Hakim. Al-Mustadrak alaa al-Sahihain (Volume III). p. 151.
  6. ^ al-Asgari, Najm al-Din. Hadith al-Thagalayn (The Hadith of the Two Weighty Things) (in Arabic). Moasese Tahgig va Nashre Ma'aref Ahl al-Bait. p. 143.
  7. ^ al-Nisaburi, al-Hakim. Mustadrak v.2 (in Arabic). Beirut: Dar al-ma'arefah. p. 343.
  8. ^ al-Heithami, Ibn Hajar. al-Sawaeq al-Mohraga (in Arabic). Tehran: Bina. p. 182.
  9. ^ a b al-Milani, Seyyed Ali. Jawahir al-Kalam V.2 (in Arabic). p. 87.
  10. ^ al-Milani, Seyyed Ali. Nafahat al-Azhar V.4 (in Arabic). p. 117.
  11. ^ a b c d e al-Milani, Seyyed Ali. Nafahat al-Azhar V.4 (in Arabic).

External links[]

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